Marc Jacobs Beauty Glambition Palette: A Review

So I caved and bought another eyeshadow palette I didn't need. Ever since Marc Jacobs Beauty relaunched their eyeshadow palettes with a new and improved formula, I had my eye on the most basic of the bunch, the Glambition palette. I have an older palette by the brand, The Lover, and I loved that formula - I figured if they improved it even more, it would be a winner for me.

The Marc Jacobs Beauty Eye-Conic Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palettes contain seven shades in a range of matte and shimmer finishes. There are six different color combinations, ranging from this super basic option, to super warm reds and browns, to purples, and even blues. I don't wear eyeshadow all too often, so this neutral option really stood out as the one I'd get the most wear out of. The shades are a bit on the peachy side, and a really beautiful gold shade pulls it into warm territory. A lot of colors instantly pull orange on my skin, but these have just the right amount of warmth to not do that. The shade names in each palette form sentences - Glambition's is, "She was infamous, known for seeking the most over-the-top glamour." The palette contains a satin cream highlight shade, a peachy brown transition shade, a beautiful gold shimmer, a medium neutral brown matte, a shimmering peachy champagne, a deep matte brown, and a matte black with a few sparkles. They create a stunning color story and all look beautiful together.

They certainly have improved an already lovely formula. The shades almost feel like creams to the touch and swatch beautifully, and they have great color payoff on the lids as well. They don't kick up tons of powder in the pan, and they blend pretty flawlessly without becoming muddy. I am pretty unskilled with eyeshadow and I still managed to create a decent halo eye in no time at all. They also last well - I always use a primer, but some formulas still crease on me. These stayed put without fading all day long. I can't wait to use this to create some beautiful bronze-y looks this fall, and I'm keeping my eye out for when Sephora restocks the Edgitorial shades.

Have you tried any of the new Marc Jacobs palettes?

---

Jordan Samuel Skin: I'm Already Hooked

Lately I've been seeing products from Jordan Samuel Skin popping up all over Instagram, and that beautiful minimal packaging really had me interested. Hearing raves from my friends and also looking into a background of the brand meant I basically needed to make an order. And after using the products for only a week, I can tell you I'm already hooked.

Jordan Samuel Skin stood out to me because of the brand's backstory. Jordan Samuel is a former professional dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet, and he says that's what started his passion for skincare. He wanted to take care of his skin and protect it from the heavy makeup, sweat, and stage lights. Being a former dancer myself (though not anywhere near professional), I instantly needed to see what it was all about.

To introduce myself to the brand, I decided to try two products. The Hydrate Facial Serum uses Hyaluronic Acid, stabilized Vitamin C, and hexapeptides to keep the skin hydrated all day long. It also contains cucumber, tamarind, and passion flower extracts to up the dew factor and comfort the skin. It's thin in consistency but has a nice cushion on the skin as you press it in. You can instantly feel it drenching the skin in moisture, and it plumps the skin as well. It feels so refreshing, so it's been my favorite to use in the mornings when my skin is feeling a little stressed and puffy. It's quickly risen to the top of my "favorite hydrating serums" list (yes, even beating out Glossier Super Bounce!).

The other product I got was the etOILe Facial Oil. I was super intrigued by this because Amelia was always singing its praises. I love using facial oils, but most of the ones I use are just a single ingredient. This one is a blend of a whole bunch of skin-loving oils, containing Sweet Almond, Cranberry Seed, Argan, Marula, Evening Primrose, Rosehip, and Seabuckthorn oils, as well as Vitamin E and Squalane. This nourishes my skin and makes it glow like no other. I love the results so much that I can't help but use it morning and night - good thing it's very decently priced! It sinks into the skin quickly and doesn't leave it feeling greasy at all, and a little goes a long way. I usually need about five drops of a facial oil to make it feel like I've covered my whole face, but a mere two or three drops of etOILe is enough. I'm dying to try the version with retinol next!

Have you tried anything from Jordan Samuel Skin?

---

Makeup for Engagement Photos

A couple weeks ago, Brett and I had our engagement photos taken, and I wanted to write up a post about the makeup I decided to wear. I wanted to go for a fresh, rosy, and romantic look, and I had originally wanted to change my lipstick from a nude to a red halfway through (which didn't happen). That's the kind of look I go for most days anyway, but I added in a few special products to really mark the occasion. I also had to make sure I picked products that would last well, as I had to apply it at home and then drive an hour and a half to my hometown to get the photos done - for some reason my makeup never stands a chance in the car!

I started off with a healthy dose of the Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich. I love using both of Glossier's moisturizers under makeup, and I picked the Rich version because it has more of a velvety finish on the skin. Plus I was hoping it would keep my skin hydrated on the car ride. My go-to for everyday is the Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint, but I wanted a bit more coverage for photos (and my skin was breaking out horribly from eating lots of junk food at a fair the week before). I mixed the Skin Tint with the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, and it proved to be such a beautiful combination. It had the longevity and flawlessness of the Luminous Silk, but the skinlike quality and glowing finish of the Skin Tint. For concealer I went with the Milk Makeup Flex Concealer - it just never cakes up on me no matter what. This went on my dark circles and on any areas of general redness. I then went in and spot concealed with the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer. It's so time consuming, but I'd much rather wear a light base and spot conceal then wear a full-coverage foundation. I set the center of my face with Glossier Wowder, and I tossed it in my bag to keep any forehead shine at bay.

For my brows, I of course started with Glossier Boy Brow in Brown. I just always need this to enhance my brows. I then filled in any sparse areas with the Milk Makeup Gel Brow - I had forgotten how much I loved this brow pencil. My only complaint is that it's really soft so I have to sharpen it a lot, but it really gives a super fluffy, feathery brow look. For eyes I debated for literal weeks, and in the end I went with the Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Nude Dip. I figured it had the perfect amount of rosiness but was still neutral enough for me to not regret in a few years. I used the top right rosy shade all over my eyelids, the bottom left taupe shade on the outer third, and the deep brown to subtly enhance my outer corners and lower lashline. I tightlined and added a small wedge on my top lashline with the Colourpop Creme Gel Eyeliner in Brew-Haha - this is still a holy grail product for me, and I've gone through so many already. I really wanted my lashes to pop, but didn't want to wear fake eyelashes (my eyes have been crazy sensitive lately), so I opted for a layer of lash primer under my mascara. My favorite primer + mascara duo is the Givenchy Base Mascara Perfecto* and Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara.* It gave the perfect fluttery, fanned out, dramatic effect, and it didn't smear all over the place. 

I had basically imagined my whole look around the Glossier Cloud Paint* in Puff - I knew I wanted really rosy, flushed cheeks, so I dabbed on a whole lot of this. These are pretty much foolproof, so even though I went in with quite a bit of product, I didn't end up looking clownish. I normally don't contour too much, but I wanted to add a little extra dimension to my face, so I went with the Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick in Amber. It's such a gorgeous ashy brown shade, and it creates such a natural-looking shadow on my skintone. It gives me instant cheekbones! I went over the contour and blended it into the blush using the BECCA Sunlit Bronzer in Bali Sands - this is another foolproof product. It looks quite shimmery in the pan, but on the skin it just leaves a gorgeous satin finish. It left me looking perfectly sunkissed and glowy. My highlight of course was Glossier Haloscope in Quartz. I wanted something that would show up in photos but not be too metallic or blinding, and Haloscope is the perfect product for that. I've seen a sneak peek of my photos, and there's one in particular where my cheekbone is lookin' pretty great.

As I said above, I was planning on starting with a nude lipstick and changing to a red halfway through, but I forgot to bring a mirror and wasn't going to risk red lipstick all over the place. For the nude, it had to be Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk. It's the prettiest, most perfect pinky nude shade that really defines the lips and adds life to my face rather than washing me out. I used both the Lip Cheat and the Matte Revolution Lipstick and patted it in for a more natural look. And if you're interested, the red I was going to use was the Tom Ford Lip Color Matte in Velvet Cherry.

What are your favorite products to use in photos?

I mentioned a lot of Glossier products, and you can get 20% off your first order my shopping through glossier.com/reps/kelsey. I do make a small commission on orders through my link, so if that makes you uncomfortable feel free to shop through their normal website!

*Products mentioned have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. Please see my disclaimer for more information. This post contains affiliate links. 

---

The Autumn Facial

Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year because it just feels so cozy. And that just makes me want to stay in and pamper myself. As the weather gets cooler, my skin gets drier, so I certainly need to amp up my skincare routine a bit. Usually my pamper days consist of two masks in a row, but when I'm going all out, I reach for three.

The first, and the product that really adds to the autumn theme here, is the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask. Autumn is this guy's time to shine. It's an exfoliating peel that sloughs off dead skin and leaves a glow like no other. It contains Pumpkin Enzymes and AHAs to chemically exfoliate and Aluminum Oxide Crystals to physically exfoliate. I don't tend to scrub it around much and just take advantage of the chemical exfoliants. It does tingle quite a bit while it's on, but it never irritates my skin. It truly leaves you with baby skin, and I've noticed it helps those big under the skin bumps clear up more quickly.

Since the first mask is a little intense, I like to reach for more gentle masks as my second and third steps. The second step is a purifying mask - once the exfoliating mask gets rid of all the dead skin cells, the second mask can get even deeper to really clean out your pores. My choice is always the Glossier Mega Greens Galaxy Pack. It feels quite cleansing on the skin without being stripping at all. I like that it doesn't dry down like traditional clay masks, so it feels gentle on the skin. It's definitely a good one to follow the Pumpkin mask.

The last product I like to use is a hydrating/nourishing mask. Usually I pair both Glossier masks together, but after the Pumpkin Mask, I still want something really soothing - honey masks are my go-to. My favorite is the I'm From Honey Mask. It's super creamy and contains 38.7% real honey. It's such a great all-rounder - it's deeply nourishing and soothing, but the natural antibacterial quality of honey helps to also cleanse the purify the skin. It's such a great way to end this little pamper session, and my skin is always totally baby smooth and clean afterward.

Do you ever do multiple masks in one session? What are your favorites to use together?

---

A Guide to Foundation for Normal-Dry Skin

Each year when fall and winter roll around, I find myself reaching for more and more products to put on my face. I'm all about that "no makeup" makeup look (or just no makeup, period) in the summer, but something about the darker evenings makes me want to create slightly more dramatic, or at least "done" looks. This usually means actually wearing foundation, which, as someone with dry skin, can get a little tricky. I've found lots of skin prep and choosing your formula carefully can make a huge difference between a flawless base and a cakey mess.

Skin Prep

Whenever I know I'll be using a heavier coverage or more matte foundation, I'll always make sure to include a chemical exfoliation step in my morning skincare routine. It just ensures that all flakes and dry bits are cleared away, and it gives the skin a beautiful glow. My favorite for mornings is the Pixi Peel & Polish* - it's super quick (about two minutes), effective, and yet still gentle. Some exfoliating peels leave my skin feeling a little raw and sensitive, so I would never want to put makeup on top. But after the Peel & Polish, my skin still feels normal, just so much smoother and more radiant. It's the perfect step to include for special occasions, or just any day you want your makeup to look a little more flawless.

As someone with dry skin, I need to apply a moisturizer underneath my foundation no matter what. Super hydrating BB cream? Doesn't matter. Certain moisturizers double really nicely as primers, too, smoothing and evening out the skin. My favorites, of course, are from Glossier. The Priming Moisturizer is my first love - it's lightweight and fluid, and it really helps tone down my redness. It also leaves a beautiful dewy glow to the skin that radiates out from underneath the makeup. The Rich version is equally lovely and great if your skin is especially dry. In the winter this is my go-to. Despite being such a luxurious cream, it doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy, and it actually has more of a velvety finish than the original version.

If I know I'm going to be using a matte formula, I'll also incorporate a facial oil into my morning routine and give it some time to sink in. I think this is why I haven't had any problems with the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation looking dry on me, when I've heard complaints of that from other people. I prefer to let it sink into the skin so as not to cause problems and settling with the foundation. It amps up the glow and allows the foundation to glide right over dry patches. I know it's nothing groundbreaking, but it's my favorite little trick if I want my skin to look extra healthy.

Products & Application

I find that the kinds of products that look best on my dry skin are lighter coverage and glowy. I prefer to build up light layers rather than piling on a thick layer. If any dry patches are lingering after skin prep, the foundation will call less attention to them this way. Lighter weight and more hydrating foundations tend to smooth over dry patches much more readily than more matte formulas, too. My favorite is the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation - it gives good coverage, doesn't accentuate dryness, and is glowy without being greasy.

Once you have your foundation formula chosen, it's important to think about application, too. A damp sponge is my favorite way to apply foundation, as the water in the sponge helps give it a boost of hydration and glow, and it flattens any dry patches instead of agitating them and causing them to stand up. If you really want to use a brush, applying the foundation with downward strokes will help to lay dry patches (and any hair on your face) flat.

The last thing to consider is how you're going to set your makeup. I usually reach for setting sprays instead of powders, as they help meld everything together beautifully and add more of a glow. Some powders can dry out the skin, causing cakiness. I really love the Pixi Makeup Fixing Mist - it really helps to keep the makeup in place all day and almost adds a filter-like effect to the skin. For powders, my go-to is the Glossier Wowder. It's super finely-milled and doesn't cake up at all. It's definitely a dry-skin-friendly product. It mattifies without zapping all your glow, and it also helps to blur out pores and imperfections.

What are your tips for wearing foundation with dry skin?

---

Glossier: My Top 5 Picks

You may have seen the news that starting Monday, October 9, Glossier will begin shipping to the UK - I know a lot of you must be so psyched. I figured since most people won't be able to get the whole line in one go, I'd pop up a post going over my top 5 favorite products to make your decision a little easier. I really love everything they've put out so far, but I do love some more than others. Remember to shop through glossier.com/reps/kelsey for 20% off your first order!

Milky Jelly Cleanser | My #1 cleanser. I use this at least once a day, and I always need to have about three backups on hand, just in case. It's that good. It's a balmy gel formula that contains rosewater and gentle cleaners (like the ones in contact solution!). It feels so cooling, soothing, and conditioning to the skin. You can use it on dry skin to remove light makeup, like a balm cleanser, or you can use it on wet skin as a traditional cleanser. I love it both ways, but I wear a lot of waterproof mascara, which this won't quite remove. Try it and you'll definitely be hooked like me.

Priming Moisturizer | Ever since I got my hands on my first tube almost three years ago, this has been my favorite moisturizer. The first time I used it, I had been walking outside in the cold, so my face was red and windburned. I was amazed at how quickly this took the redness down. It's a lightweight moisturizer that doesn't feel greasy on the skin, but it leaves a beautiful dewy glow. It's also easy to layer for more hydration - it doesn't pill at all when you load it on. I'll probably switch to the Rich version (which would be #6 on this list if I didn't cut it off at 5) once winter really comes, but for my dry/dehydrated skin, this is the perfect almost year-round moisturizer. As the name suggests, it primes the skin so well for makeup - really plumping and adding glow. I haven't noticed it extending the wear of my makeup, but it certainly makes it look a lot nicer.

Boy Brow | This is another product that I always need to have three backups on hand. Nothing else makes my brows look so fluffy and feathery. Rather than a typical crunchy brow gel, this is a pomade, so it maintains a soft feel while still holding your brows in place. I have quite unruly brows - half of my left eyebrow for some reason grows straight down, but Boy Brow holds the hairs how I want them to lay all day. The Brown one is my favorite, as it really beefs up my brows, but I really like the Clear one too for no makeup days when I just want my brow hairs to lay correctly.

Cloud Paint | I pretty much haven't worn another blush since these came out in March. They're blushes with a gel-cream formula, and they virtually blend themselves. They're so easy to apply with fingers - I just dot it on my cheeks, and tap it in with a clean finger. It gives an effortless flush in about five seconds. They blend seamlessly into the skin and look super natural - like it's your own natural glow. I love mixing the shades together to create new shades. My favorite combo is probably Dusk and Puff to make a lovely neutral pink shade, and I probably wear Haze on its own the most at the moment. You can get a single Cloud Paint or you can get a Duo to save money.

Haloscope | Of course the highlighter is here, right? Like the Cloud Paints, I've almost exclusively used Haloscope as my highlight of choice since it launched last June. These are the dewiest highlighters - they have a ring of shimmer/color on the outside, and a core full of hydrating oils to keep you looking glowy all day. They're super easy to stripe on and blend out, and the result is beaming skin that just looks well-moisturized. These can be built up to be quite intense, but they always still just look like a natural glow. Quartz is my favorite shade, and I'm on my second stick of it, but Moonstone is beautiful for everyday as well. And I love mixing Topaz in with a cream bronzer in the summer. Right now there's a Duo with Haloscope and Boy Brow to save money when you buy both.

As I said above, you can get 20% off your first order when you shop through my rep link. Once you're on my page, you can shop as normal, and you're all good as long as it says "You're shopping with Kelsey" in the top right corner. The 20% discount will be taken at checkout. I do make a commission on orders through my link, so your support is always greatly appreciated, If that makes you uncomfortable though, you can just shop through Glossier's own website!

What's on your Glossier shopping list?

---